December 6, 2016. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has launched a website to provide the public with information about their mission: "the effective protection of minors and a commitment to ensure their human and spiritual development.”

Vatican launches new website for the Protection of Minors from sex abuse

December 6, 2016. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has launched a website to provide the public with information about their mission: "the effective protection of minors and a commitment to ensure their human and spiritual development.”

Vatican launches new website for the Protection of Minors from sex abuse

December 6, 2016. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has launched a website to provide the public with information about their mission: "the effective protection of minors and a commitment to ensure their human and spiritual development.”

The Silence of the Pope

2009-04-06

Holy Week this year is becoming John Paul the Second’s own Calvary, unable to participate in most of the ceremonies.

Despite all his efforts, the Pope wasn’t able to speak on Easter Sunday. But the mere fact that he tried, moved many gathered in St Peter’s Square to tears. All he could manage of the urbi et orbi blessing was a sign of the cross. But it was enough to satisfy the estimated 70 thousand people below who only wanted to catch a glimpse of the Pope and thank him for his courage.

Karol Wojtyla is convinced that this world needs to recover the respect for human life…a life that also includes illness and old age. It’s the reason many say, this Pope doesn’t want to hide his physical limitations.

Cardenal Sergio SebastianiHead of the Vatican Economic AffairsIn the Vatican we are still working normally. But this is certainly getting to us. We felt the same way on Palm Sunday, a certain emptiness. We are bringing to mind not only Christ’s Passion but also the passion of Christ’s representative.

A year ago, the Vatican brought in a special wheelchair to allow the Pope to celebrate ceremonies sitting down. During Holy Week, the progress of his illness made it impossible for him to participate in the most important functions of the Catholic liturgy.

High-ranking cardinals like Colombian Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, Italian Giovanni Battista Re, and American James Stafford filled in for the Pope. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who presided over the Easter vigil, said the Pope is still lucid and that his physical difficulties have not kept him from running the Church.

At all of the Holy Week ceremonies, prayers were offered for the ailing pope.

Raniero CantalamessaPreacher of the Pope’s Household“Come back soon, Holy Father, Easter without you isn’t really Easter”.

The absence of the Pope was particularly felt on Good Friday. The last time he carried the cross at the Colosseum was back in 1999. This time he had to make do watching the 14 station procession via video link up to his private chapel.

Instead, Cardinal Camillo Ruini stepped in and carried the cross on behalf of the Pope and lent him his voice:

And his servant on earth, the Pope did as he has always done, and embraced the wood of the cross –now a silent witness for all those who suffer.

The Silence of the Pope>

Holy Week this year is becoming John Paul the Second’s own Calvary, unable to participate in most of the ceremonies.

Despite all his efforts, the Pope wasn’t able to speak on Easter Sunday. But the mere fact that he tried, moved many gathered in St Peter’s Square to tears. All he could manage of the urbi et orbi blessing was a sign of the cross. But it was enough to satisfy the estimated 70 thousand people below who only wanted to catch a glimpse of the Pope and thank him for his courage.

Karol Wojtyla is convinced that this world needs to recover the respect for human life…a life that also includes illness and old age. It’s the reason many say, this Pope doesn’t want to hide his physical limitations.

Cardenal Sergio SebastianiHead of the Vatican Economic AffairsIn the Vatican we are still working normally. But this is certainly getting to us. We felt the same way on Palm Sunday, a certain emptiness. We are bringing to mind not only Christ’s Passion but also the passion of Christ’s representative.

A year ago, the Vatican brought in a special wheelchair to allow the Pope to celebrate ceremonies sitting down. During Holy Week, the progress of his illness made it impossible for him to participate in the most important functions of the Catholic liturgy.

High-ranking cardinals like Colombian Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, Italian Giovanni Battista Re, and American James Stafford filled in for the Pope. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who presided over the Easter vigil, said the Pope is still lucid and that his physical difficulties have not kept him from running the Church.

At all of the Holy Week ceremonies, prayers were offered for the ailing pope.

Raniero CantalamessaPreacher of the Pope’s Household“Come back soon, Holy Father, Easter without you isn’t really Easter”.

The absence of the Pope was particularly felt on Good Friday. The last time he carried the cross at the Colosseum was back in 1999. This time he had to make do watching the 14 station procession via video link up to his private chapel.

Instead, Cardinal Camillo Ruini stepped in and carried the cross on behalf of the Pope and lent him his voice: